Origin
The Aspidistra elatior variegata, commonly known as the 'Cast-iron Plant', originates from East Asia. The plant grows wild in the subtropical forests of countries such as Japan and Taiwan. Originally, the Aspidistra was largely cultivated by the urban middle class during the Victorian era, due to the immense popularity of the plant as a houseplant.

Characteristics
The Aspidistra elatior variegata is an evergreen perennial that grows very slowly. It has wide, dark green leaves that can grow up to 60 cm long, with cream-white vertical stripes. Due to its appearance, the Aspidistra belongs to the family of lilies. A distinctive feature of this plant are the small purple flowers that appear on the ground between the leaves.

Care
Despite the Aspidistra being seen as an easy-to-care-for plant, it does have specific needs in order to stay healthy and strong. The plant prefers shady spots and can even survive under very little light. In addition, the Aspidistra needs sufficient water, but the soil should be allowed to lightly dry out between watering sessions. It is recommended to keep the temperatures above 12 degrees Celsius, as the plant does not cope well with cold.